Islamabad: A joint session of the Parliament approves anti-honour killing and anti-rape bills

Pakistan passes anti rape and anti-honor killing bills in a joint session of the Parliament held on Thursday, October 6. These bills were tabled by Pakistan People’s Party’s Senator Farhatullah Babar. Following the legislation, convicts of rape and honor killings will face stricter punishment in compliance with newfangled laws. After the anti-honor killings legislation, killings in the name of honor will now be dealt in different terms than ordinary murder cases.

In line with the honor killing law, the relatives of victim will not be able to pardon the killer if he is sentenced to death by the court. Nonetheless, the law carries a mandatory sentence of twelve-and-a-half years in prison if in case not awarded capital punishment.

Previously, Senator Farhatullah Babar had informed the joint session: “The bill will prove to be effective in curbing rape cases across the country.” During the session, Law Minister Zaid Hamid stated that the culprit in rape cases will also be medically examined under the newly passed law.

“The verdicts in the rape cases will have to be given within three months, with the right to appeal in six months. The police station will be obliged to inform the victims of their legal rights,” he said, while adding, “We have made it mandatory that the culprit must be imprisoned for 25 years.” The bill now dispenses stern punishments to the culprits sexually assaulting minors, mentally and physically ill victims.

Former PPP senator Sughra Imam, said: “No law will eradicate a crime entirely but the law should be a deterrent. Laws are supposed to guide better behavior, not allow destructive behavior to continue with impunity.”